January 10, 2023
On Nov. 9, 2022, Pennsylvania rental professionals took time to gather at the scenic Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion, Pa., for a dose of fun and inspiration.
After breakfast, guests took to the resort’s sporting clays range for some friendly shooting competition. Then, over lunch, motivational speaker and retired Navy SEAL combat veteran, Darren McBurnett (McB), shared his powerful presentation, “Uncommon Grit.”
Drawing from his 24 years of military experience, McB delivered lessons on leading in the workplace, fostering personal growth and inspiring peak performance.
Those who attended took away something from all aspects of the event.
“The resort is top-notch, and shooting is always fun; everyone can do it,” says Mike Drog, vice president – Bobcat Operations, Bobcat of Pittsburgh. “I thought [McB gave] a very good presentation; it had a lot of insight on focusing on a goal and teamwork. My takeaways were about teamwork and how mediocrity should not be tolerated. He also expressed how to change the mindset of being uncomfortable to comfortable. It actually made a lot of sense and can be put to use in our business.”
Former Navy SEAL Darren McBurnett (McB) speaks to ARA of Pennsylvania members
“Getting out of your comfort zones, pushing through life’s problems and not accepting being complacent and being mediocre,” is how Walt Grimes, owner, Fayette Rental Solutions, Uniontown, Pa., and ARA of Pennsylvania vice president, described McB’s overall theme. “He told us a story about thinking he was the best going into an Iron Man competition and in the end getting beat. He spoke of the person that beat him; his competitor was Lance Armstrong — this was back in 1988. McB was a very motivated, inspiring speaker. He kept everyone interested with his perspective of success.”
Robert Trent, president, Olde Earth True Value Rental, Friedens, Pa., rated the event as a “great time as always, with a great presentation and great food,” adding that the shooting was fun “even if you’re not a pro.”
